Abstract
The central question addressed in this article is: has Latin American religious life now acquired its definitive “historic form”? The author examines the main developments after Vatican II and Medellin—especially the turbulent years of Liberation Theology and intervention among the poor. The author describes the present situation and struggles of religious men and women in a clearly more conservative society and Church. Furthermore, the new liberalism is bringing into play a postmodern set of values and insights that is leading religious life to a new crossroads. A reappraisal to reconcile the seething prophetism of the 1960s and 1970s with the conditions pertaining today is desirable. It is essential to admit popular culture into religious life while maintaining historical religious aspects in order to respond to the challenges of this continent of “open veins”.